February 11, 2009

Martin Luther King J.R.

Martin Luther King J.R

Many people of the world may know Martin Luther King as the person who brought whites and blacks together. If you don't know him, I can tell you a little bit about him.

Martin Luther King was born in January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. Martin attended segregated public schools and graduated high school at the age of 15. In 1948, he received his B.A. degree from Morehouse College in Georgia. In 1951, he earned a Ph.D from Boston University, where he also met Correta Scott. In 1957, King was elected president of a new formed Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). A few years later, he came on August 28, 1963 and led a march in Washington D.C. He also gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial. In 1968, King made the Poor People's Campaign, which included a march on Washington D.C. In the spring of 1968, King went to Memphis, Tennessee to show support for black workers striking for higher wages and a better treatment. As King stood on his balcony of his motel, he was shot and killed on April 4, 1968. King was 39 years old. Lots of people were shocked about King's assassination. It led riots in cities. Two months after the shooting, James Earl Ray pleaded guilty to the murder, although he later insisted he was innocent.

Martin Luther King was a wonderful person. In honor of him we have a holiday on January 15. Just imagine if he was still alive to help us with the U.S.A's problems. Do you know any famous African-Americans?

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Hi Christopher,

I really like your post on Martin Luther King!!!

I don't know any famous African Americans; my mom has told me about some though-- Maya Angelou do you know her? She is a poet! and Langsten Hughes-- he's a poet too. Do you know him? He wrote one poem about dreams--

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Here's part of another by Maya Angelou-- do you like this one too? It's called Alone.

Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.